Michigan Notary Weddings: Legality And Process

In the US, the types of people who can legally marry a couple include religious and civil licensed ministers, judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, licensed celebrants, and in some states, notaries. While Michigan law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, it is important to check the laws and regulations of the state in which the ceremony will take place. In Michigan, there is a law that specifies who can solemnize a marriage, and this includes all ministers, including online ordained ministers of American Marriage Ministries. However, there are no laws requiring officiants to register with any government office. In some states, a notary can act as a wedding officiant, but only a few states recognize a marriage certificate from a notary. These states include Florida, Maine, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana.

Michigan notary requirements

To become a Michigan notary public, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a Michigan resident or maintain a place of business in Michigan
• Be a U.S. citizen or possess proof of legal presence
• Be a resident of the county in which you request appointment (if you do not reside in Michigan, maintain a principal place of business in the county you request appointment)
• Read and write in English
• Have not been convicted of a felony within the past 10 years (if previously convicted of a felony, the 10-year period includes completion of the sentence for that crime, any term of imprisonment, parole, or probation, and payment of all fines, costs, and assessments)
• Have not been convicted of two or more misdemeanour offences involving a violation of the Michigan Notary Public Act within a 12-month period while commissioned, or three or more misdemeanour offences involving a violation of this Act within a five-year period, regardless of being commissioned
• Have filed with the appropriate county clerk a proper surety bond in the amount of $10,000 and taken the oath of office as prescribed by the State Constitution (Michigan licensed attorneys are exempt)
• Sign a declaration that all information on your application for Michigan Notary Public Commission is correct, that you have read the Michigan Notary Public Act, and that you will perform all notarial acts faithfully
• Are not currently serving a term of imprisonment in any state, county or federal correctional facility

The Michigan Notary Commission is valid for six years and may be renewed. To renew your notary commission, you must reapply and follow the same steps you took to become a Michigan Notary. The renewal process is recommended to start 60 days before your current certificate expires.

In addition to the requirements outlined above, it is important to note that a Michigan notary public has unlimited financial liability on every document they notarize. Therefore, it is crucial to familiarise yourself with the laws and regulations governing the role.

Can Michigan notaries officiate weddings?

In Michigan, notaries can officiate weddings. However, there are some important requirements to consider. While Michigan law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, the officiant must be an ordained minister to perform marriages legally. Local regulations in Michigan specify that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" must be ordained by a religious organization, such as the American Marriage Ministries. This means that if a notary is also an ordained minister, they can legally officiate weddings in Michigan.

It is also important to note that Michigan has a law (Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7) that specifies who can solemnize marriages, and this includes all ministers, including online ordained ministers. However, there are no laws or procedures requiring officiants to register with the state government. Therefore, once an individual is an online ordained minister, they can immediately officiate weddings anywhere in Michigan.

Additionally, it is recommended to keep personal records of official ministry credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. This proof can include documents such as an ordination certificate and a letter of good standing, which is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized.

While Michigan recognizes marriages solemnized by notaries who are also ordained ministers, it is important to check the specific laws and regulations of the state where the ceremony will take place, as these may vary. Some states have different requirements, such as residency or registration with the town clerk. Therefore, it is always best to confirm the qualifications and legal ability to perform marriages with both the state and local jurisdictions.

Michigan marriage laws

Michigan does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office before performing a marriage. However, Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 states that only ministers, including online ordained ministers, can solemnize a marriage. This means that a notary public in Michigan cannot legally marry a couple unless they are also a licensed or ordained minister.

To become a notary in Michigan, you must meet the following conditions:

• Be over 18 years old
• Be a resident of Michigan or maintain a business in Michigan
• Be a U.S. citizen or have proof of legal residence
• Reside in the county you're applying to or have a business located in that county
• Be able to read and write in English
• Have no felony convictions in the past 10 years
• Not be serving time in any state, county, or federal correctional facility
• Have no more than two misdemeanor convictions of the Michigan Notary Public Act in the past 12 months while commissioned
• Have been involved in no more than three violations of the Michigan Notary Public Act in the past five years

A Michigan Notary Commission is valid for six years and requires a $10,000 surety bond. While not mandatory, it is highly recommended that notaries purchase a stamp to offer legal protection to the documents they notarize.

If you are considering getting married in Michigan, it is important to understand the state's marriage laws and regulations. While Michigan does not require officiant registration, it is essential to ensure that your chosen officiant meets the legal requirements to perform marriages in the state.

Who can officiate weddings in Michigan?

According to Michigan Law, there is no requirement for marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, Michigan Compiled Laws § 551.7 specifies that only ministers, including online ordained ministers, can solemnize a marriage. This means that if you are ordained as a minister, you can legally officiate weddings in Michigan without needing to register with the state.

To become an ordained minister in Michigan, you can do so through an online accredited program offered by organizations such as American Marriage Ministries (AMM). AMM offers a free and simple ordination process, after which you will immediately have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in the state. It is recommended to keep personal records of your official ministry credentials, as proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue. You can obtain an official Ordination Certificate and Letter of Good Standing, which is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized, by ordering your Michigan Minister Ordination Package.

In addition to ministers, there are other types of individuals who can legally officiate weddings in Michigan. These include:

• Judges
• Magistrates
• Justices of the peace
• Licensed celebrants
• Notaries (in some states)

It is important to note that while Michigan does not require officiants to register with the state, there are specific qualifications that must be met to perform marriages legally. These qualifications include:

• Being over 18 years old
• Being a resident of Michigan or maintaining a business in the state
• Being a U.S. citizen or having proof of legal residence
• Being a resident of the county where you are applying or having your business located in that county
• Being able to read and write in English
• Not having been convicted of a felony in the past 10 years
• Not currently serving time in any state, county, or federal correctional facility
• Having no more than two misdemeanor convictions related to the Michigan Notary Public Act in the past 12 months while commissioned
• Having no more than three violations of the Michigan Notary Public Act in the past five years

By ensuring that you meet the necessary qualifications and, if applicable, becoming ordained as a minister, you can legally officiate weddings in the state of Michigan.

Notary wedding costs

Michigan notaries can perform weddings, but only in the state of Michigan and only for couples who are also Michigan residents. If you're thinking of getting married by a notary public in Michigan, there are a few things you should know about the cost.

Firstly, it's important to understand the difference between the cost of becoming a notary and the cost of notary services. In Michigan, there is a $10 application fee to process an application for appointment as a notary, a $10 fee to file a surety bond with the county clerk (which may vary by county), and a $10,000 surety bond. There may also be additional costs for things like a notary seal and errors and omissions insurance. These are the costs to become a notary public in Michigan.

Now, let's talk about the cost of notary wedding services. The cost of a Michigan notary public performing a wedding ceremony is typically left to the discretion of the notary public themselves. However, it is important to note that Michigan law states that a notary cannot charge more than $10 for each notarial act performed. This means that the total cost for a notary wedding service in Michigan may vary depending on how many notarial acts are performed as part of the ceremony.

In addition to the notary's fee, there may be other costs associated with the wedding ceremony, such as the cost of the marriage license, travel fees, and any other administrative costs. It's important to discuss all of these costs upfront with your chosen notary public to ensure there are no surprises.

When planning a wedding, it's always a good idea to factor in potential additional costs to ensure you have a clear understanding of your budget. By doing so, you can ensure that your special day goes off without a hitch!

Frequently asked questions